Butler stays up for now

[tom webster]

http://www.wgr550.com/Butler-stays-up--but...onight-/3630733

[Kristian]

That sucks, I would've liked to see The Marlboro Man or Mr. Cotton Candy himself, Tallinder, sit instead.

[K-9]

I don't like it. This has more potential to disrupt things that have been going well than the return of Connolly and the subsequent line shifting as a result. Interesting thought on Paetsch.

 

GO SABRES!!!

[nucci]

I don't like it. This has more potential to disrupt things that have been going well than the return of Connolly and the subsequent line shifting as a result. Interesting thought on Paetsch.

 

GO SABRES!!!

This same team that has been playing well lately is also the same inconsistent team we have had all year. What is there to disrupt?

[K-9]

This same team that has been playing well lately is also the same inconsistent team we have had all year. What is there to disrupt?

 

Sad but true. But they have been pretty consistent the last three games anyway.

 

GO SABRES!!!

[carpandean]

I wouldn't be surprised if he were used tomorrow night. Teppo's getting old, so he could stand to sit for half of the back-to-back. Or, maybe, Lindy will use him as a motivator for tonight's game. Play badly and you sit tomorrow night.

[shrader]

It does make me wonder if Nathan Paetsch is on waivers. The team and the NHL don't announce those things.

 

What? Then how do we regularly see notes on TSN where "player X has been placed on waivers"? Are those always leaked stories?

 

Anyway, if he stays up, he needs to play. Sitting in the press box does him very little good. I can understand them doing it for one game, but if he's going to be out beyond tonight's game, send him back. And yes, I'd love to see him in the roster at this point each game, but I understand the numbers game that they have to play here.

[inkman]

I loved the Drury poll. :rolleyes:

[SabresFan526]

You know, with how well Butler has played, I started thinking about what Darcy could do. If I were Darcy, I'd try and trade Tallinder for one of Steve Reinprecht, Andy McDonald, or Mike Comrie. The Sabres still need a center who can consistently play on the second line. Then, I'd try and trade Max for like a 3rd or 4th round pick and perhaps an AHL veteran defenseman you could call-up just in case and for playoff time. I'd also try to re-sign Spacek to like a 2 year $5-6 million contract in the offseason. But, my guess is that Darcy will do nothing, let Spacek walk, and Butler will permanently replace Spacek next year, but that's what I'd do instead of let Butler waste away in the press box. He's too good to be sitting in the press box and frankly I think Tallinder still is valuable enough trade bait that you can get something of value for him.

[darksabre]

BOOOO!

[fushetti]

You know, with how well Butler has played, I started thinking about what Darcy could do. If I were Darcy, I'd try and trade Tallinder for one of Steve Reinprecht, Andy McDonald, or Mike Comrie. The Sabres still need a center who can consistently play on the second line.

 

 

Yeah but like you stated later, Darcy probably won't do anything. This team is extremely reactive and never proactive with anything. I dont get sticking with dead wood like Max or Teppo just because they have contracts. Butler has been a rock back there. I don't think its coincedence that the defense has looked better.

[Stoner]

What a tough call. By no means do I think Butler deserves to sit. But I wonder if the Sabres just don't want to press their luck here. Butler has been near spectacular in his play, but the Sabres like to bring the young 'ens along slowly. He sits now and everyone wins. Butler pushes Numminen to the bench, and all of a sudden, you're 1. taking away his veteran mentor and security blanket and 2. subtly changing the pressure point for the kid. I'm glad he's sticking around for now, so Lindy can use him as a hammer. But Butler does need to play.

 

Now, is it my imagination or have we not been down this road many times, where the kids come up, help save the day, then go down and watch the big club fall back into its losing ways?

 

Again, a very tough call.

[Kristian]

My biggest gripe with it, is that it only took Ruff three games to forget his big "whoever performs well, plays" speech.

 

I'm not saying this is an easy call by any means, but if you can give a speech like that and then completely forget about it three games later, well then I guess it's no wonder that three games is usually how long it takes the team to become overconfident and lazy again after a few good games.

 

Just sayin'..........

[nfreeman]

I don't like it. This has more potential to disrupt things that have been going well than the return of Connolly and the subsequent line shifting as a result. Interesting thought on Paetsch.

Why? Do you think the rest of the team will be PO'd/thrown off by sitting a rookie who's been getting about 13 min per game?

 

I wouldn't be surprised if he were used tomorrow night. Teppo's getting old, so he could stand to sit for half of the back-to-back. Or, maybe, Lindy will use him as a motivator for tonight's game. Play badly and you sit tomorrow night.

Interesting theory. Quite possibly correct.

 

Here's another: there's a trade in the works involving one of our other defensemen. Pure speculation, and probably not the case, but otherwise I have a hard time understanding this. I don't think they are going to risk losing Paetsch to waivers, since it's likely that both Spacek and Teppo are gone after this year. And it certainly makes no sense to keep Butler up here only to healthy-scratch him.

 

Finally, I'd like to point out that the board seems to be going a bit overboard on Butler. I like him too, but there's a reason he's only getting 13 minutes per game. Sekera had more of an impact last year.

[SabresFan526]

My biggest gripe with it, is that it only took Ruff three games to forget his big "whoever performs well, plays" speech.

 

I'm not saying this is an easy call by any means, but if you can give a speech like that and then completely forget about it three games later, well then I guess it's no wonder that three games is usually how long it takes the team to become overconfident and lazy again after a few good games.

 

Just sayin'..........

You make a fair point, but I think I'm with PA on this one. This is a really tough call for Lindy. You can't scratch Rivet as you saw what he brings to the team in the Ottawa game, which has been desperately missing. You can't scratch Lydman as by and large he's played pretty well this season. You can't scratch Spacek and Sekera as they have been arguably the best defense pairing on the team, see the most minutes, provide the only offensive threat from the blueline, and right now facing the opposing top lines. That leaves Tallinder and Teppo. Ever since Tallinder was scratched, his game has really improved and he's playing a lot better than he did earlier this year and most of last year. That, then, leaves Teppo. I agree with PA and I would argue that Butler has been as successful as he has because he's been playing with Teppo. Teppo has clearly lost a step and was never a physical presence along the blueline, but he always makes the right read, makes the right pass, and seemingly very easy to work with as a defense partner. Look at how successful Kalinin was during the 05-06 and 06-07 seasons while playing with Teppo. I'd argue that in addition to the whole team, Kalinin probably missed Teppo the most last year as we all saw how good (or bad) Kalinin was without Teppo. You can't underestimate his impact on Butler either. Lindy's in a tough spot, but I think he's making the right decision by scratching Butler. But all 6 guys are on notice that if anyone has a bad game, Butler goes in and if anyone gets hurt, Butler will play against Detroit. I think it makes things more competitive and hopefully keeps everyone on edge and wanting to play their best.

[nucci]

Why? Do you think the rest of the team will be PO'd/thrown off by sitting a rookie who's been getting about 13 min per game?

Interesting theory. Quite possibly correct.

 

Here's another: there's a trade in the works involving one of our other defensemen. Pure speculation, and probably not the case, but otherwise I have a hard time understanding this. I don't think they are going to risk losing Paetsch to waivers, since it's likely that both Spacek and Teppo are gone after this year. And it certainly makes no sense to keep Butler up here only to healthy-scratch him.

 

Finally, I'd like to point out that the board seems to be going a bit overboard on Butler. I like him too, but there's a reason he's only getting 13 minutes per game. Sekera had more of an impact last year.

I don't think there is any risk to losing Paetsch. Why do so many like him here? I think he is awful and would not miss him if he left. Everyone seems to want Butler and Weber here playing. I think either of those 2 play ahead of Paetsch.

[R_Dudley]

Well interesting times indeed. I agree he has played well but also agree with some of the other posters here that has allot to do with his time with Teppo.

 

So clearly Spacek and Sekera don't get broken up and Lydman has been solid and Tallinder better. Their doesn't seem to be a better partner for him than Teppo right now unless maybe it's Rivet tomorrow night. Let him watch from the pressbox tonight and tell him to prep for playing with mon capitan....

 

Nice problem to have actually. Our defense has actually been playing pretty solid for some time, it's been our goaltending and forward lines that have lacked consistency.

 

I think we get a bit more of the big picture with how they handle tomorrows line up and what may actually being played out here behind the scenes e.g. trades, etc.. but for now I'll take this problem over reaching for players to fill out the back end line up ala 05-06 Finals...

[K-9]

Why? Do you think the rest of the team will be PO'd/thrown off by sitting a rookie who's been getting about 13 min per game?...

 

Not at all. It just seemed like he helped establish some consistency back there and being a +3 in his limited ice time is telling. But you're right. He's a rookie with no place in the pecking order at this time. I'm sure it's more a matter of the vets FINALLY playing better but Butler certainly looked good.

 

GO SABRES!!!